My dad hated this movie. All I can say is: if you like the style, you'll like the movie. If not, you'll hate it.
Now let's describe the style. The Jeunet/Caro team has been compared to Terry Gilliam (BRAZIL, 12 MONKEYS, etc). That's pretty fair, but Jeunet/Caro add a fresh innocence that's not present in Gilliam's apocalyptic visions. True, DELICATESSEN is dark, morbid, and sarcastic at times, but there are also moments of pure beauty that shine through. A scene comes to mind where Dominique Pinon is blowing soap bubbles for a pair of mesmerized children. Beautiful.
And so goes a recurring theme of Jeunet/Caro's work - that in the midst of horror, beauty can exist. My only gripe with the film is that it got a little silly in the last half. The zany antics of the "terrorists" distracted from the profound meaning of the piece.
But here's where it gets better. I believe Jeunet/Caro perfected their art over the next few years and ultimately created the masterpiece CITY OF LOST CHILDREN. Fantasy doesn't get any better than that one, folks. I believe DELICATESSEN is a good primer for CITY, because DELI has a more linear plot that won't confuse you. Then you'll be prepped for the real heady stuff.
Now let's describe the style. The Jeunet/Caro team has been compared to Terry Gilliam (BRAZIL, 12 MONKEYS, etc). That's pretty fair, but Jeunet/Caro add a fresh innocence that's not present in Gilliam's apocalyptic visions. True, DELICATESSEN is dark, morbid, and sarcastic at times, but there are also moments of pure beauty that shine through. A scene comes to mind where Dominique Pinon is blowing soap bubbles for a pair of mesmerized children. Beautiful.
And so goes a recurring theme of Jeunet/Caro's work - that in the midst of horror, beauty can exist. My only gripe with the film is that it got a little silly in the last half. The zany antics of the "terrorists" distracted from the profound meaning of the piece.
But here's where it gets better. I believe Jeunet/Caro perfected their art over the next few years and ultimately created the masterpiece CITY OF LOST CHILDREN. Fantasy doesn't get any better than that one, folks. I believe DELICATESSEN is a good primer for CITY, because DELI has a more linear plot that won't confuse you. Then you'll be prepped for the real heady stuff.